Baste Duterte takes over as acting PDP Laban president, Robin on leave

Davao City Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is now the acting party head of the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) after Senator Robin Padillla took his leave as party President.

The younger Duterte won the race for vice mayor for Davao City in the May 2025 elections.

In a statement, Padilla said he is taking a step back after campaigning for the PDP-Laban candidates in the recently concluded May 2025 polls.

The senator said he intends to focus on his duties as legislator and push for the party’s legislative agenda in the 20th Congress.

“Layunin ko pong ituon ang aking atensyon sa aking tungkulin bilang senador, lalo na sa paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng 20th Congress,” he said in a letter to Party vice chairman Alfonso Cusi.

He said he remains steadfastly committed to PDP Laban and loyal to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the party chairman.